Speed and power

[TDot]

Someone help me understand the concept of speed and power with cars, because this just confused me and I'm not a racer. I'm always complaining about the power of this car then I read specs like this.

2015 Chevrolet SS is a sports sedan
6.2L V8, 6 speed, 415 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft of torque, 0-60 in 4.7 seconds.

2008 m35,
3.5L V6, 5 speed, 275 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft of torque, 0-60 in 5 seconds.

I have tested my car and the 0-60 is right.  So how is it that the SS destroys the M in specs, but it's only worth .3 seconds in the 0-60? Is all that power only worth something while the car is "already at full speed", for a lack of better terms, because it's around there that the M feels a little sluggish? The SS will whip your head back at takeoff and you barely budge in the M..but the difference is only .3 seconds.

How?

[hoaapple]

Stock M35s do not make it 0-60 in 5 seconds. They are more around the 6 second mark.

[Ilya]

Someone help me understand the concept of speed and power with cars, because this just confused me and I'm not a racer. I'm always complaining about the power of this car then I read specs like this.

2015 Chevrolet SS is a sports sedan
6.2L V8, 6 speed, 415 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft of torque, 0-60 in 4.7 seconds.

2008 m35,
3.5L V6, 5 speed, 275 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft of torque, 0-60 in 5 seconds.

I have tested my car and the 0-60 is right.  So how is it that the SS destroys the M in specs, but it's only worth .3 seconds in the 0-60? Is all that power only worth something while the car is "already at full speed", for a lack of better terms, because it's around there that the M feels a little sluggish? The SS will whip your head back at takeoff and you barely budge in the M..but the difference is only .3 seconds.

How?

Simple. Power to weight ratio. Your car might be 4000lb while that SS is 4800lb (not real numbers, just an example). That'll slow it down and make it go slower than it's HP suggests.

For example, a 2000lb Honda Civic that's been modified to have 225 HP will likely leave your 275hp M35 a few cars back because it's considerably lighter.

It's the same reason why my M56 does the 0-60 in 4.8 while a QX56 (SUV) does it in 6.2 with largely the same motor. The QX is MUCH heavier.

Also, a 2008 M35 does it in 6 seconds, not 5...hoaapple is correct.

http://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-ma ... mph-times/

[hoaapple]

Also, a 2008 M35 does it in 6 seconds, not 5 as stated hoaapple said.

http://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-ma ... mph-times/

I didn't say 5 seconds.

[Ilya]

Also, a 2008 M35 does it in 6 seconds, not 5 as stated hoaapple said.

http://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-ma ... mph-times/

I didn't say 5 seconds.

I was agreeing with you. Sorry, my edit made it confusing lol. I fixed it to make more sense.

[Wangtang408]

OP - get a plenum spacer, Z Tube or CAI. You'll feel the power

[Ilya]

And an UpRev tune

[Wangtang408]

And an UpRev tune

Yeaaaaaa budddyyyyyyyyy

[Mjkkb2]

http://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-ma ... mph-times/

Thanks for the link,

One thing I found interesting is that m37 0-60 time is .3s better than the newer Q70. Has it gained more weight post 2013?

[Larz]

If you really want power and torque that is absolutely brutal, check out the 2016 CTS-V. It will do 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and send your lungs through your back and supposedly has a top speed of 200 mph! The drive is as far from what you expect in an American car as is humanly possible and it grips like the tires are made of glue (Michelin Super Sports). It has an 8-speed auto gearbox and the interior is half Escalade and half Aston Martin. The one I tested (they only had two) was $90,533 so it's clearly not in the same price class as any Infiniti. It was the most brilliant shade of what I call "arrest-me-red". The most amazing thing is that the ride is similar to the M-sport, but even better ... it can act like a cheetah or a refined sport sedan depending on what your right foot does on the pedal. The other one that was in stock had recaro seats and was a rather drab battleship grey color. I sat in it and immediately got back out because there is no comfy position possible for a 6'4" tall person in those seats. That one was over $93,000.
https://youtu.be/GDY1ucNOPZE

[M4T5]

Yep! LS power is truly an amazing piece of mechanical engineering!

[DeanM45]

Specs are PEAK power. What makes a car fast is the power curve. High torque at lower RPMs (not peak torque - high torque at low rpms) allow for a faster launch. A flatter curve throughout the entire RPM range allows for "consistent" acceleration. Yes, weight as well as gearing (transmission and transaxle/rear gearing) also play a role.